What’s Up Wednesday

“What’s Up Wednesday” is a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make posting quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. Join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, or a great way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you.

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Can you believe Ready. Set. Write! is over?! *sob* Not that I’m going to stop goal-setting and writing and participating in What’s Up Wednesday, but still… Our fantastic summer writing intensive is all said and done!

My fabulous co-hosts and I would like to thank you for participating and celebrate your success by offering critiques. Of course, we don’t presume to be experts, but we do know how helpful it can be to get a fresh perspective on our writing. So… Erin, Jaime, Elodie, Alison, and I are offering feedback on the first ten pages of five Ready. Set. Write! participants’ stories. That’s FIVE critique giveaways! All you have to do is enter via the Rafflecopter below…
(Giveaway is international. Open to those who participated in Ready. Set. Write!)

What I’m Reading: I finished Morgan Matson’s Second Chance Summer. While the writing was lovely and the characters were well-drawn and likeable, this was a tough story to get through. The inevitableness of a tragic event is made clear early on, and the entire book is a journey to a heartbreaking conclusion. Yet, there’s a sense of hopefulness that keeps it from from becoming unbearably sad. More next week for YA Book Club. Now, I’m reading The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater, which is predictably awesome and packed with beautiful prose. Big thanks to Krispy, who generously loaned me her ARC!

What I’m Writing: Guys,I’m busting through my WiP. I wrote 6,831 words this week, and I think most of them are good words — yay! Since Ready. Set. Write! began a few months ago, I’ve written just short of 50K words, a number I’m thrilled with. The other day I completed what I’m pretty sure is the strongest, most emotionally charged scene I’ve ever written. We’ll see what my CPs have to say down the line, but for now I’m feeling encouraged and successful and really excited about my writing. I’m rolling with it.

Daisy is excited too.

In addition to working on my WiP, I started revising another project I’ve been working on off-and-on for the last couple of years. There are a few issues with the conflict and, with the help of my super savvy agent, I’m going to solve them. In an effort to assess the story’s pacing and reacquaint myself with its structure, I put the Plot Dot Test to use. I love visual aides (and graph paper!).

What Else I’ve Been Up To: Other than reading and writing, I’ve mostly been spending time with my girl, which is sort of funny since she’s in school almost all day now. Quality over quantity, I suppose. We’ve been making the most of our afternoons and weekends, reading books, doing art projects, having special breakfasts, and going on girls-only shopping trips. It’s been fantastic!

You’re really getting there with you wip! Way to go, Katy-DID! 😀 An almost 7k week is a very nice writing week.

OMG, I feel VERY old…because how are you just now hearing that song? It’s a rock classic. That band and their songs are like my parent’s generation anthem music (especially growing up in NoCal)….I grew up listening to their records CONSTANTLY. As much as I appreciate their talent, I could never hear another song by them and be quite happy. That said, if you do like that song, they have LOTS of other atmospheric songs you’d likely love. (strangely, now that I think about it, my parent’s also listened to a lot of Fleetwood Mac, especially their Rumors album, during that same time period, and I still can listen to them if a song pops up. I don’t know why I can listen to them happily and not PF.)

You’re so cute, Katy. ❤ I love that you heart-doodled your plotting. ❤

Thanks, lovely! And don’t feel old… I REdiscovered Comfortable Numb. I’ve heard it lots of times (and liked it a lot), but it never resonated with me quite like it did when I applied its lyrics to the draft I’m working on. Funny how that happens. 🙂 Come to think of it, you’re right… Pink Floyd’s entire song library would probably make very good mood music for my writing sessions. Off to see what I can download…

I am SO JEALOUS of your DREAM THIEVES read!!! But, I’m okay with it. I plan to reread THE RAVEN BOYS and then buy the sequel the day it hits the shelves. I may just devote the whole day to reading. *sigh*

Also, this scene of which you speak is making me super charged and dying to read this story! So glad you’re excited about it!

TDT is awesome so far, Alison. I’m about 100 pages in and wanting to read all the time (which isn’t so great for my WiP, but whatevs…).

I’m sort of tempted to send you that scene that I think is charged and actually pretty good, but I’m making myself wait because it’ll make zero sense until you’ve read everything before it. But I can’t wait to hear whether you think it actually is good, or if I’m just crazy.

I’m in the middle of SECOND CHANCE SUMMER and I’ve had to put it down a few times to compose myself. Pretty much anytime the dad is there, looking a little thinner and moving slower, I get a lump in my throat. Heavy stuff!

I can’t wait for THE DREAM THIEVES!

Woo hoo for all the work you’ve gotten done on your WIP and for having a new(old) MS to explore!

Katy, hearing about your writing progress this week was so awesome, but even better was completely sensing your excitement and joy! It leaped off the page, and I am SO thrilled for you! It’s these sorts of weeks that keep us pushing through, along with the hope and exhilaration that some day these very words might have a home and resonate within someone else’s heart too! I hope it’s every bit as wonderful of a writing week this week – cheering for you!! As always, I love hearing about your time with your sweet girl. You are such an amazing mama! And I particularly loved the soccer pic. E had so much fun this summer and V asks nearly everyday when she’ll be old enough to play! It’s so fun to see our girls trying new things and having new experiences. Hugs, Katy ❤

You’re right, Tem. Writing weeks like this last one are what get me through all of the tough/confusing/frustrating spots. It’s such a thrill to feel good about how things are coming! I’m sure the doubt monsters will return soon, but for now, I’m enjoying my time without them.

C had a blast at her first soccer practice. She ran around like a crazy girl and was exhausted last night when she got home. A win for all involved, I think. 🙂

I hope you finish SECOND CHANCE SUMMER in time to post for YA Book Club, Ghenet… I’m really looking forward to discussing the story with everyone. And I’m so glad you jumped into Ready.Set.Write! with us. I had a blast reading your updates each week. 🙂

I so agree with you about SECOND CHANCE SUMMER–it’s heartbreaking, but hopeful at the same time. The kind of book that makes me think, “Why am *I* writing?!” I’m looking forward to the book club discussion next week 🙂

Your 50K is AWESOME! RSW seems like it has been super productive for everyone. (Sidenote: I wish I had a loyal pet to keep me company while I write. My cats get far too bored and wander off in search of a patch of sun or a bit of grass to eat…so much for loyalty!)

I had that same “I’m not worthy!” thought a few times while reading SECOND CHANCE SUMMER too, Rebecca. I strive to write stories that pack emotional punches like SUMMER, as well as Sarah Dessen’s and Jessi Kirby’s books.

My dog is certainly a loyal writing companion. She’s also much more high maintenance than most cats. So, kind of a trade off, I think. 😉

You are killing that WIP, lady. Congrats! And way to go on that emotional scene. (That’s my way to suggest-but-not-suggest that one of your betas on this should have a first name that starts with Tracey and a last name that rhymes with Feathercot.)

So Ready, Set, Write! *has* be awesome and so helpful in getting me writing. First off, thank you ladies for thinking up that brilliant idea. Second, I think we need to make 10 pm EST / 7 pm PAC the standing writing date.

So excited for you on your WIP! (Also I’m with Tracey but a first name that starts with Liz and a last name that rhymes with Sharker). Thanks for doing RSW, and thanks for writing with me. It’s felt a little like last year’s NaNo time. 🙂 Can’t wait to swap! You know…once mine’s ready to read.

Oh, that is so awesome that you finished such a pivotal/emotional scene in your story. I bet it’s totally fantastic! And such a great feeling, too. You’ve totally kicked your WIP’s butt this summer, Katy. Very inspiring! I’m super curious what you’re working on in CMH. If you need a pair of eyes on it, I volunteer my own (if you want/need it). I love that picture of Daisy cuddled up next to you. She’s adorable. 🙂

Thanks, Jaime! I think I’ve just about got CMH figured out. The issues are with the conflict — needs more tension, more believability. Ugh. It’s hard, but I am determined to make it the very best I can. Thank you so much for your offer. I’ll let you know if I need another read-thru, but I might send it straight back to Victoria, depending on my confidence level. Thank you again — your support and feedback mean the world to me!

Best of luck getting back into the swing of writing in the coming weeks. Of course, I am more than happy to offer my beta services should you need them. Shoot me an email anytime. 🙂

I really enjoyed RSW it really helped this summer. It’s crazy how fast this summer went. I can’t believe that September 1st is Sunday. Congrats on accomplishing your writing goals this summer! Have a great weekend!

I’m so jealous of everyone who has gotten to read THE DREAM THIEVES early! You’re so lucky!

Your word count this week was incredible, and even better that you wrote one of your strongest most emotional scenes ever! And your plot dot test looks so neat compared to mine. I don’t know why I didn’t think to do it on graph paper. Glad to hear your writing projects are going so well! 🙂

Yay WIP! Yay Jenna! *waves pom poms* I’m about to hit 34,000 words and feel ya. It feels sooo good. 🙂 Congrats on all the wordage, time with C and sunshine! Also thank you so much for that link about what to blog about…. I’ve been in a slump this summer (see: naked blog LOL!) so I am excited for these suggestions and to use them!

I’m glad I could spread The Dream Thieves joy! I’m not often in the position of having such a coveted ARC, so it only felt right to share. 🙂

You did amazing with your writing goals during Ready.Set.Write! So inspirational and awesome. I had so much fun joining you and the other RSW ladies. Thanks again for hosting! (Random aside, Daisy is the cutest. I wish my dog were calm enough to do that, but he’d lick the computer.)

Will check out the Plot Dot Test (so cool and nerdy!), and definitely will bookmark Chantelle’s list of blogging ideas. I need them! 🙂

Trust me: Daisy hasn’t always been so calm. She’s an old lady now, but she used to be nuts. Loki will chill out soon, and then you’ll miss all the silly puppiness. 🙂 So, THE DREAM THIEVES is kind of sabotaging my word count. I’m loving it SO MUCH and I want to read it all the time. It’s such a strange, fascinating story, and Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is enviably amazing. I’m going to have to buy myself a copy after I finish the ARC. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend, Krispy!

Welcome!

I’m a wife, mama, reader, and country music fanatic. I like baking, sunshine, and social media. I write young adult books about cool girls, cute boys, and steamy kisses. KISSING MAX HOLDEN is available in libraries, bookstores, and at online retailers now, and THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF US will release July 31, 2018.

Reach me via email at Katy.Upperman@live.com

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